Outlook: As was the case last year when they placed fourth in the NSC, the Bears have proven that they can finish strong despite starting off slowly without their full lineup intact. Lynch will be aiming for a return trip downstate once he gets back in the flow of things following another long football season.

Outlook: After just missing out on a fourth straight NSC title to Grant last winter, the Wildcats return with a very strong, junior-dominated lineup that features two returning state qualifiers. Pettinato (32-10) provides great senior leadership for a squad with seven sectional qualifiers back. Libertyville should be prepared to make a serious challenge at regaining the NSC title if it can stay healthy and focused.

Outlook: The Mustangs' program will really miss the presence of three-time state qualifier Ornoff and former head coach Tom Buenik, who will be replaced by Vince Jiuditta this season. Mundelein does have some experienced varsity wrestlers back this winter, but a lack of depth will make it tough to compete with the top teams in the always powerful Lake Division.

Outlook: The Patriots will face a lot of major challenges in the NSC Lake Division alone this season. But Stevenson has an elite wrestler in senior state qualifier Justin Weber back and the Pats hope to get some of his teammates to join him at the 2013 state tournament.

Outlook: The middle of the Blue Devils' lineup is very strong, but they will need to rely on some younger wrestlers to fill in some key losses to graduation. Hicks is coming off a great season last winter and he will get good support from fellow seniors Mason, Martinez, and Kuhn to name a few.

Outlook: With two trips to the Elite Eight state tournament in the past three seasons to fall back on, the Sequoits have established themselves as a team to beat when the post-seasonrolls around. The huge loss of four state qualifiers to graduation will certainly hurt, but Antioch appears to have the depth and experience to hold its own in 2012-13.

Outlook: After losing a lot of key wrestlers to graduation, the defending NSC champion Bulldogs will have some big shoes to fill in 2012-13. Grant will have a tall order to fill in holding off archrival/perennial power Libertyville this season. But the Bulldogs hope to show improvement each and every week behind their key senior leaders.

Outlook: With a relatively inexperienced squad returning, it will probably not be an easy road for the Eagles this winter in the Prairie Division. But with two Class 2A state qualifiers back and ready to help lead the team, Lakes could be competitive in 2013 as Mark Stave takes over the reins as head coach in place of Curt Onstad this season.

Outlook: Because of inexperience, coach Hruska expects the Panthers to go through some early season growing pains this season. But as the campaign progresses, Round Lake is hoping to show much improvement heading into the last month of the season in the Prairie Division and beyond.

Outlook: Two of the real cornerstones in the Vernon Hills program are now gone with the graduation of 2012 state champ Brazil and three-time state qualifier Klema now graduated. But all is not lost for the Cougars as they will begin the rebuilding process with Pierce leading the way along with a solid group of young individuals.

Outlook: The Bulldogs have three outstanding and accomplished leaders in Devin Tortorice, Pearl, and Magiera to set the tone for the rest of the team. Now, it's just a matter of the remainder of the squad to develop in a positive manner if Wauconda hopes to be a big player in the Prairie Division and NSC this winter.

Outlook: The loss of three state qualifiers and a total of seven key seniors to graduation will certainly have an impact on the Rams' squad this season. But Grayslake Central does have an experienced group of seniors back which have been very successful over the past three years in the powerful FVC.

Outlook: The Knights were hit very hard by graduation following the 2011-12 season. Grayslake North does have a proven leader in Dax returning to help lead its lineup, but the Knights will need for some of their younger wrestlers to step up if they hope to compete effectively in the FVC.

Outlook: The Corsairs still have a relatively young team returning for the new campaign. But Carmel does have the luxury of elite senior all-stater Jake Cochrane at 285 to help set a positive example for the entire team in the rugged ESCC.

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